Description

We are seeking a warm, experienced, and innovative middle school humanities teacher to join our teaching team, working as a teaching/learning partner with our students and families. The successful applicant will enjoy working in a collaborative middle school environment and embrace an inquiry-based and developmental approach to teaching children. The ideal candidate will understand how to provide differentiated and extended learning experiences within the context of a progressive school environment and use a variety of teaching strategies to engage middle school students in learning. Classroom management skills are a must. A love of learning, a love of school, and a willingness to support unique and unpredictable learning journeys by students will help you thrive at Blue Oak School.

Responsibilities:

• Design and lead inquiry-based learning in the humanities classroom that includes interdisciplinary projects and differentiated instruction
• Collaborate with colleagues to design integrated curriculum, projects, and service-learning opportunities
• Lead daily advisory meetings using planned middle school advisory curriculum 
• Create a classroom space that is differentiated, engaging, responsive, and beautiful
• Integrate tools and technology as appropriate to support learning and deepen projects
• Identify and respond to individual students’ academic, social, and emotional needs, including learning differences in collaboration with Learning Specialist
• Coordinate field trips to enrich curriculum; organize and attend overnight trip
• Plan, design, and implement authentic assessment of student progress
• Write progress reports and hold conferences with parents
• Use documentation to make learning visible to the children and families; contribute to student portfolios

Requirements

• Teaching Credential and/or M.Ed. or related field
• A minimum of two years classroom teaching experience
• Experience teaching in a humanities model
• Experience with progressive pedagogy, student-centered learning, project-based learning, integrated curriculum planning, and authentic measures of student learning
• A commitment to creating an inclusive classroom community that allows for a multitude of perspectives to be heard and respected 
• A love of working with middle school students and creating a joyful learning environment 
• Commitment to personal and professional development and a growth mindset
• High expectations for self, colleagues and students
• Hardworking, organized, good communicator, and reliable
• Ability to model professional and ethical standards when working with students and families
• Sense of humor, authentic empathy, warmth, and collegiality
• Desire and ability to contribute to student and community life inside and outside the classroom
• Commitment to social justice and fostering culturally competent and inclusive classrooms
• Ability to model professional and ethical standards when working with students and families
• Ability to work both independently and as a member of a team
• Ability to exercise gentle authority consistent with our school culture
• Strong communication skills with parents and colleagues